Fall 2012

Visual and Performing Arts Boosters

Meeting Notes

September 25, 2012

I. Cynthia welcomed everyone to the meeting and read the Mission Statement:

Our mission is to enrich the existing high school arts, music and drama programs and to support additional opportunities for learning. We provide a means of recognizing and honoring our talented young people through scholarships, special programs and support and promotion of visual and performing arts performances, shows and events.

II. Meeting Minutes from April 25, 2012 were approved

III. Treasurers’ Report Vickie Drigotas

Opening Balance as of April 25, 2012 $18,389.41

Balance as of September 25, 2012 $11,766.02

Income since April 25, 2012 $6672.67

Expenditures since April 25, 2012 $11,902.06

IV. 2011/2012 Donations paid out

  • $2500.00 – Southern Maine Center for the Arts feasibility study
  • $8171.00 - Steel Drums/Pans increased the amount of students in the band by 1/3!
  • $5792.00 - 4 iMacs for the Art Dept
  • $4998.00 - SMART Board
  • $4113.00 – Theater Lights
  • $500.00 – Costumes Fall Play
  • $500.00 – Hall Piano Fund

V. Update from VPA Chairman Nate Menifield

RSU 21 will be hosting the All State Orchestra, Chorus, & Band Auditions at Kennebunk Elementary School, Friday afternoon, November 2nd and Saturday, November 3rd. Approximately 3-9 pm on Friday, and from 8 am – 4 pm on Saturday. Nate mentioned the big need is for concessions volunteers. The menu will be scaled down from last year, but it will still feature a variety of items to purchase from our concessions stand.

Triam Honor Society – There will be an added emphasis on this prestigious status this year for the VPA program. This is a formal leadership program where students are recognized and rewarded and will help motivate their fellow students. Plans are to hold an introduction ceremony; however, due to time constraints, this has been pushed to the beginning of the year.

VI. Updates from Ben Potvin

He thanked everyone for the Steel Drums; said they are a big hit with the students and it has increased the size of the KHS Band by 1/3!

The Summer Concert with students from RSU 21 and Rex Smith was a great opportunity for students from all around the district to be involved in a professional production. He wanted to express his thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the concert.

The Musical this year is (TBA) soon. Dates are on the VPA website

VII Updates from Deb Robinson

There will be a fundraising calendar with artwork from the KHS students; the goal is to keep the costs down, but she may ask for help from the VPA Boosters on printing it. She said in the past local merchants have sold some for the school on a consignment arraignment. These items have been popular and she is looking forward to this project. Deb said that they will try to get the calendar out for Jan 2013, but due to time constraints, may have to start it in Sept 13, and have it run through the school year.

She has one possible request for FY 13-14 and that is for a Sheet Metal Cutter.

VII. Updates from Val Reid

The Fall Play is titled “Almost Maine” The dates of the production are: November, 16, 17, & 18.

VIII. Fundraising Activities:

The VPA Booster Club has decided to institute a “Friends of the VPA Donation Letter” to VPA Parents and Boosters

The emphasis is to request donations instead of instituting 2 or 3 fundraising activities. This letter will be mailed and sent electronically due to feedback received by people who have expressed interest in assisting our program with their monetary donations. We will recognize donors as follows:

  • $25.00 – Friends of the VPA Boosters
  • $50.00 – Patron of the VPA Boosters
  • $100.00 –Sponsor of the VPA Boosters

Anyone who gives a $25.00 donation or higher will receive a KHS VPA bumper sticker or magnet; ideas brought up at the meeting on who to send the letter to included grandparents, alumni, and parents of recent graduates. There was also an idea of a “corporate match” for a local company to match what is raised.

Ad Sales for Theater Program

Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and efforts last year; you helped make it the best year to date! Special thanks to Lynne White. November 2nd is the deadline. Please don’t forget about Sponsorship Opportunities’, the Fall Play and the Musical are sold, but the spring play is available. Co-Sponsorships are also available! If you can’t sponsor, please consider volunteering; our Ad team does a great job, but we are always looking for additional help. Please don’t forget the new businesses in town; many of those love to place an ad with us.

All State Audition Concessions – November 2nd and 3rd

  • Thanks for stepping up again Marc Feldman
    • Simplified menu from lessons learned from last year, but help is still needed

Concert Donations at the Events

  • Winter Concert – December 17, 2012
  • Spring Concert – March 12, 2013
  • All Chorus Night – May 1, 2013
  • All Band Night – May 8, 2013

Raffle:

A year-long raffle was discussed, and approved. The drawing will be held at the final spring play late in the school year. Steve and Jeni Kingston have donated a gift of 50 lobsters that can be consumed throughout the summer. Thank you Jeni and Steve!!

Concessions

  • Welcome Melanie Shmalo as Chair of Concessions! She is hard at work already. Tom Macisso has volunteered if needed.

Panera Bread Fundraising Dinner

The group decided to try this as a fundraiser, but it will be teacher/student driven. The VPA will receive 20% of the proceeds on the day we are given for the fundraiser. All we have to do is encourage people to eat there.

IX. PR for Plays/Musicals/Program

Tom mentioned that the VPA Boosters looks forward to working with Val Reid, and Ben Potvin again this year in assisting our talented performers in getting the word out about the productions. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to assist with hanging posters around the community. Tom will concentrate on “getting the word out” via the school newspaper “The Rampage” possibly KHS Radio, and the local newspaper outlets. He also will work on creating large signs highlighting how the VPA Booster Club has contributed to the VPA program.

X. VPA Boosters’ Scholarship

Tom will be working with a committee of VPA Boosters to offer a deserving student (s) a college scholarship. This committee will focus on the criteria such as: the selection process, amount, etc,

X1. Potential for Expanding Boosters to a District-Wide Program

Looking for ways to keep students, especially boys, in the VPA and not dropping out when they enter Middle School. Nate and Ben brought up the fact that if they can get their Chamber Choir and Band Members to mentor the younger students, especially if they can get them to the HS, that goes a long way in retaining members in the VPA.

XII Recruiting New Members

Cynthia welcomed the new members and said that we always are looking for more.

XIII. Volunteering Assignments

· Concessions

· Donation Table at Concerts

· Program Sales

· All-State Concessions

· Scholarship

· Raffle

· Posters for Shows

Thanks everyone for attending the meeting and for volunteering for the committees that you signed up for.